The Oscars to Depart Broadcast TV and Stream on YouTube Beginning in 2029.
The Academy Awards will begin streaming exclusively on the global video platform in 2029, marking the newest substantial shift in the film industry.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences declared the decision on Wednesday, confirming that it signed a multi-year deal granting the streaming service the sole worldwide broadcasting rights to the Oscars up to 2033.
The awards show, which is planned for 15 March, has aired for 50 years on ABC. Commencing in 2029, the event will be available live and for free on YouTube.
This is another major restructuring in the entertainment world, which is navigating corporate acquisitions and consolidations, in addition to drastic reductions in filming.
"The Academy is an worldwide body, and this partnership will permit us to increase availability to the work of the Academy to the largest worldwide audience imaginable - which will be advantageous for our Academy members and the film community," stated Academy leadership in a announcement.
Over decades, audience numbers of the awards show have fallen, although there was a slight uptick in 2025, with a notable portion of younger viewers watching from mobile devices and computers.
In a corresponding announcement, the video platform's chief executive referred to the Oscars "among our essential cultural touchstones" and noted that working with the Academy would "motivate a new generation of artistic expression and cinema enthusiasts while adhering to the Oscars' storied legacy".
The broadcast network, which has aired the awards since 1976, commented that it was eagerly anticipating "to the next three telecasts" it will still host.
The move follows large entertainment companies confront intricate takeover attempts. Such proposals were considered unfavourable for an industry that has seen severe reductions over the last few years.
Like big production houses, cable networks have struggled as the public has chosen streaming services as an alternative.
YouTube winning broadcasting rights to the Oscars further suggests that reliance on streaming sites will carry on to grow.
